Welcome to my blog---an eyes-open, no-holds-barred exploration of Western and Eastern spirituality, mindfulness, philosophy and literature. A member of the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, I lectured at the NSW Institute of Psychiatry to mental health workers for 14 years and at the University of Technology, Sydney to law students for 16 years. My interests include metaphysics, the psychology of religion, transformative ritual, mythology and addiction recovery.

The combined results suggest that a short course of secular
mindfulness training leads to multiple brain changes similar in nature to those
seen in people who have practised religious or spiritual meditation for a
lifetime.

Rinske
Gotink [pictured left] and her colleagues found 30 relevant studies
that usedMRIorfMRIbrain imaging to look at the effects
of mindfulness training on brain structure and function, including 13 randomly
controlled trials.

Associated brain changes, in terms of activity levels and volume
and connectivity changes, have been reported in theprefrontal cortex(a region associated with conscious
decision making and emotional regulation and other functions), theinsula cortex(which represents internal body states
among other things), thecingulate cortex(decision making), thehippocampus(memory) and theamygdala(emotion).

Based on what we know about the function of these brain regions,
Gotink’s team said these changes appear to be consistent with the idea that
mindfulness helps your brain regulate your emotions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The
information provided on this blog is not a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking
professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified
health provider because of something you have read on this blog. In Australia,
for immediate advice or support call Lifeline on 13 1 1 14, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, and for
information, advice and referral on mental illness contact the SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263)
or go online via sane.org. In other countries, call the relevant mental
health care emergency hotline or simply dial your emergency assistance
telephone number and ask for help.

Friday, October 7, 2016

A
group of 68 native English-speaking females, who had not practiced mindfulness
meditation before, participated in the study. Analysis showed that participants
came to the experiment with different levels of natural mindfulness.

Each
participant wore an electrode cap, to enable EEG recording. They then took part
in one of two 18-minute activities. Some listened to a guided meditation while
others were exposed to a language-learning presentation.

Immediately after the
meditation the participants were shown some disturbing pictures. The
participants were instructed to view the pictures either ‘mindfully’ or ‘naturally.’
The researchers used the EEG to record their brain activity while they were viewing
the images.

Results indicate that, whether the participants
had high or low levels of natural mindfulness, the brain was able to control
negative emotions to the same extent. Exposure to the meditation session
appeared to help the emotional brain to recover quickly after seeing the
photos, suggesting that meditation enabled participants to tame their negative
emotions.

The study tends to show that meditation can improve one’s emotional health and that
even people who are not naturally mindful can acquire these benefits through the
practice of mindfulness.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: See the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The
information provided on this blog is not a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking
professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified
health provider because of something you have read on this blog. In Australia,
for immediate advice or support call Lifeline on 13 1 1 14, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, and for information, advice and
referral on mental illness contact the SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or go online via sane.org. In other countries, call the relevant mental
health care emergency hotline or simply dial your emergency assistance
telephone number and ask for help.

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